Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method of operating a communication system of the type that supports communications with multiple mobile devices within a region, the method comprising: during a first interval, exchanging communications with each of a first plurality of mobile devices within the region, the communications with the plurality of devices collectively using a first amount of bandwidth within a first spectrum; in a second interval during which the region contains a second plurality of mobile devices, with a control device controlling access to a wireless network, determining that a trigger condition exists; and when it is determined that a trigger condition exists: exchanging communications with a first portion of the second plurality of mobile devices using the first spectrum; and sending from the control device to a second plurality of mobile devices an indication to use an alternative frequency spectrum and exchanging communications with the second portion of the second plurality of mobile devices using the alternative frequency spectrum, the alternative frequency spectrum being different than the first spectrum.
A method for a cellular system to manage network load involves initially communicating with mobile devices using a first spectrum. If the system detects a trigger condition (like network congestion), it splits mobile devices into two groups. The first group continues using the original spectrum. The second group is instructed to switch to an alternative frequency spectrum (different from the first). The base station then communicates with this second group using the alternative spectrum, offloading traffic from the primary spectrum.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein: each of the plurality of mobile devices is a smart phone; and exchanging communications with the first portion of the second plurality of mobile devices comprises communicating in accordance with a 3G standard.
In the cellular load management method, all mobile devices are smartphones and the communication with the first group (using the original spectrum after congestion detection) is performed using a 3G standard. This specifies the type of devices involved and clarifies which communication standard applies to the devices remaining on the original spectrum.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: selecting the second portion of the second plurality of mobile devices based at least in part on position within the region.
In the cellular load management method, the selection of mobile devices to be switched to the alternative frequency spectrum is based, at least in part, on their location within the cell region. This means the algorithm considers the position of the mobile devices when deciding which devices to move to the alternative spectrum.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the selecting the second portion comprises identifying mobile devices of the second plurality of mobile devices that are less than a threshold distance from the control device.
In the location-aware method, the selection of mobile devices for the alternative frequency spectrum involves identifying devices that are within a certain threshold distance from the base station. Mobile devices closer to the base station are prioritized for being switched to the alternative spectrum.
5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising: determining the threshold distance based on one or more of time of day and total bandwidth in the first spectrum used by communications at the second time.
In the location-aware method, the threshold distance used to select devices for the alternative frequency spectrum is dynamically adjusted based on factors such as the time of day or the total bandwidth being consumed in the primary spectrum. The system adapts the range based on current network conditions.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein: the method further comprises receiving a request from a mobile device to initiate communication with the control device; and the determining at the second time occurs in response to receiving the request.
In the cellular load management method, the decision to switch to the alternative frequency spectrum is triggered by a new request from a mobile device to connect to the network. The system assesses network load and makes a decision when a new device attempts to establish a connection.
7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising: in response to the request, sending to the mobile device, a communication indicating an option to communicate using the alternative frequency spectrum; receiving a response to the option; and charging for communications exchanged with the mobile device, the charging comprising charging at a lower rate when the response to the option indicates an election to communicate using the alternative frequency spectrum than when the response to the option indicates an election to communicate using the first spectrum.
When a mobile device requests a connection, the system offers the option to communicate using the alternative frequency spectrum. If the user accepts this option, they are charged a lower rate than if they continue using the primary spectrum. This provides a financial incentive for users to switch to the alternative spectrum and relieve network congestion.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein: determining that the trigger condition exists comprises determining that the region contains a second plurality of mobile devices such that exchanging communications with the second plurality of mobile devices using the first spectrum would consume a second amount of bandwidth, the second amount of bandwidth exceeding a threshold; and when it is determined that the trigger condition exists, exchanging communications with the second portion of the second plurality of mobile devices comprises exchanging communications with the second portion of the second plurality of mobile devices using white space in a licensed spectrum, the licensed spectrum being different than the first spectrum.
The trigger condition for switching to the alternative spectrum occurs when the system determines that using the primary spectrum for all mobile devices would exceed a bandwidth threshold. In this situation, the system utilizes "white space" (unused portions of licensed spectrum, like TV channels) as the alternative frequency spectrum. This explicitly defines the trigger and the nature of the alternative spectrum.
9. A control device for a wireless communication system, the control device comprising: at least one transceiver supporting communications with a plurality of mobile devices using a first bandwidth in a first spectrum and using a second bandwidth in a second spectrum, the first spectrum being different than the second spectrum; a control module to: determine cumulative bandwidth consumption in the first spectrum by mobile devices having a connection to the control device; determine whether the cumulative bandwidth consumption is above a threshold; and when the cumulative bandwidth consumption is above the threshold, configure the at least one transceiver for communication with a first set of mobile devices using the first spectrum and a second set of mobile devices using the second spectrum.
A base station in a cellular network manages bandwidth consumption. It monitors the total bandwidth used by connected mobile devices on the primary spectrum. When this consumption exceeds a set threshold, the base station divides devices into two sets. The first set continues using the primary spectrum. The second set is switched to a different frequency spectrum, managed by the base station's transceiver.
10. The control device of claim 9 , wherein: the control module further comprises a range detection component, the range detection component being adapted to determine a range between the control device and a mobile device in the vicinity of the control device; the control module comprises a band allocation component, the band allocation component assigning mobile devices of the plurality of devices to the second set based on a range determined by the range detection component for each device assigned to the second set being below a second threshold.
The base station uses a range detection component to determine the distance between itself and connected mobile devices. When assigning devices to the secondary spectrum after congestion detection, it prioritizes assigning devices within a certain range of the base station. This focuses offloading on closer devices.
11. The control device of claim 9 , wherein: the control module comprises a band allocation component, the band allocation component assigning mobile devices of the plurality of devices to the second set based on a requested bandwidth received from each device assigned to the second set being below a threshold.
The base station assigns mobile devices to the secondary spectrum based on the requested bandwidth from the mobile devices. The base station offloads devices that request bandwidths that are lower than a set threshold.
12. The control device of claim 9 , wherein: the control module further comprises a range detection component, the range detection component being adapted to determine a range between the control device and a mobile device in the vicinity of the base station; the control module comprises: an admission control component, the admission control component being adapted to exchange communications with mobile devices seeking a connection to the control device, the communications comprising requests to accept a lower bandwidth sent from the admission control component and responses from mobile devices indicating acceptance of the lower bandwidth; and a band allocation component, the band allocation component being adapted to assign mobile devices of the plurality of devices to the second set based on responses from the mobile devices indicating acceptance of the lower bandwidth.
The base station uses a range detection to determine the distance between itself and the connected mobile devices. The base station has an admission control component that is adapted to request that new devices accept a lower bandwidth. The devices that accept the lower bandwidth get assigned to the second spectrum by the band allocation component.
13. The control device of claim 9 , wherein: at least one transceiver is adapted for exchanging communications with mobile devices assigned to the first group at a data rate in excess of 2 Mbps and for exchanging communications with mobile devices assigned to the second group at a data rate less than 1 Mbps.
The base station is configured to communicate with devices assigned to the first group (primary spectrum) at data rates exceeding 2 Mbps. It communicates with devices on the secondary spectrum at data rates less than 1 Mbps. This clarifies the performance differences between the two spectrums.
14. The control device of claim 9 , wherein: the control device is configured to send a command to mobile devices of the second set when the cumulative bandwidth consumption is above the threshold, the command instructing display of a user interface with an invitation to use the second bandwidth.
When the base station detects high bandwidth consumption, it sends a command to the mobile devices in the second set (designated for alternative spectrum). This command triggers the display of a user interface on the mobile device, inviting the user to switch to the alternative spectrum to relieve network congestion.
15. The control device of claim 9 , wherein: the control module is further adapted to exchange information with a second base station of the communication system, the exchanged information identifying cumulative bandwidth consumption for the communication system in the vicinity of the first and second control devices.
The base station shares bandwidth consumption information with neighboring base stations. This information exchange helps the system to understand overall network load across a wider area and make informed decisions on spectrum allocation and congestion management.
16. A method of operating a communication system of the type adapted for exchanging communications with multiple mobile devices within a region, the method comprising: during a first interval, exchanging communications with each of a first plurality of mobile devices within the region, the communications with the plurality of devices collectively using a first amount of bandwidth within a first spectrum; at a second time determining that the region contains a second plurality of mobile devices such that exchanging communications with the second plurality of mobile devices using the first spectrum would consume a second amount of bandwidth; determining that the second amount of bandwidth exceeds a threshold; and when it is determined that the second amount of bandwidth exceeds the threshold: identifying a first portion of the plurality of mobile devices and a second portion of the plurality of mobile devices based on inputs from users of the plurality of mobile devices; and exchanging communications with the first portion of the second plurality of mobile devices using the first spectrum and exchanging communications with a second portion of the second plurality of mobile devices using a second spectrum, the second spectrum being different than the first spectrum.
A method for a cellular system to manage network load involves initially communicating with mobile devices using a first spectrum. If the system detects that all devices communicating on the first spectrum would exceed a bandwidth threshold, it splits mobile devices into two groups based on user input. The first group continues using the original spectrum. The second group is switched to a different frequency spectrum.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein identifying a first portion of the plurality of mobile devices and a second portion of the plurality of devices based on inputs from users comprises: selecting a mobile device of the second plurality of mobile devices based on a range from a control device configured to support wireless digital communication with mobile devices; and sending a request to the selected mobile device to accept a lower bandwidth connection; and identifying the selected mobile device as within the second portion when a response to the request indicates acceptance of a lower bandwidth.
The mobile devices are split into two groups based on user inputs. The system selects a mobile device based on its range from the control device and sends it a request to accept a lower bandwidth connection. If the mobile device accepts this request, it is moved to the second group that will communicate on the second spectrum.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising: selecting the second portion of the second plurality of mobile devices based at least in part on a distance between the control device and each device of the second plurality of devices selected as being within the second portion.
The method for splitting the mobile devices into two groups based on user input includes selecting a mobile device based on range to the control device and asking it to accept a lower bandwidth, and further uses the actual distance between the device and control device as part of the calculation for the split between groups.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein selecting the second portion comprises: offering to devices within a predetermined range of the control device a lower bandwidth connection; and selecting as the second portion those devices responding to the offer with an acceptance of the offer.
To determine which devices to switch to the alternative spectrum, the system offers a lower bandwidth connection to devices within a certain range of the base station. The system then selects the devices that accept this offer to be part of the group switched to the alternative spectrum.
20. The method of claim 17 , wherein identifying a first portion of the plurality of mobile devices and a second portion of the plurality of devices based on inputs from users comprises: selecting a mobile device of the second plurality of mobile devices based on a range from the control device; accessing scriber information for the selected mobile device; and identifying the selected mobile device as within the second portion when the subscriber information indicates acceptance of a lower bandwidth.
To determine which devices to switch to the alternative spectrum, the system accesses the subscriber information for the selected mobile device, and if the subscriber information indicates acceptance of a lower bandwidth then the system switches the device to the group that will communicate on the alternative spectrum.
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September 30, 2014
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